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Social Security Administration

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Social Security Administration reviews

3.0

36% would recommend to a friend

(2,782 total reviews)

Carolyn W. Colvin

34% approve of CEO

23% positive business outlook

Social Security Administration has an employee rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on 2,782 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Social Security Administration employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

3K reviews
1.0
May 5, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work-life balance (you don't take your work home with you), Salary increases each year, Federal holidays.

Cons

My co-workers at this agency are practically unemployable. I don't know how they even passed the screening phase. Or SSA must have been super duper desperate to fill some seats. You name it, we've got it. We have people who sleep, play on the internet, have dirtier mouths than a sailor, attendance problems etc. But they all manage to keep a job. Why you ask? Nepotism. They either have family working for the agency or they were in some stupid fraternity/sorority with someone in a higher up position. So management will play lip service but never really do anything about problematic employees. My advice to anyone is to treat this job as a "starter". Come here to get your Federal experience and take that to another agency with a better reputation. Unless it's headquarters, SSA is a ghetto mess. You'd be wasting your time because promotions are slim pickings here anyways. This is why you'll meet someone who has been with the agency for 10+ years but is only a GS-10. That's pathetic. You can start out at certain agencies at a GS-11 with the right background. But as I said, these people would not last in the private sector. So I'm sure they're just grateful to have a job. There is also so much government waste at this agency it's enough to be make you want to go alt-right. If the public only knew. Cities would be burning to the ground.

1.0
Feb 6, 2017

Do not risk your future (ambition/growth/learning).

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Federal holidays, 8 hour work day,

Cons

This is for all the young and ambitious individuals: Do not risk your time and future at SSA. Do not apply to this agency because you will waste your time if you deem your time important. I worked with this agency for three years plus meanwhile seeking opportunities elsewhere. Now that I found another opportunity right now, I left. The manager that hired few employees along me lied to retain us in this agency, promising us as many things as many that you will meet in this agency telling you flowery stories but lie in reality. The nature of work from the top down is extremely stressful and extremely boring. Secondly, this agency lacks proper leadership and management that understands leadership. While an employees' effort is supposed to be recognized, this agency does the opposite. The managers and supervisors keep their employees stuck in one position and do not let their employees grow as they use their employees to produce the statistics they need to answer above. The office I worked in had all employees stuck in one position for over 20 years or so. Each employee, I spoke to in the office complained of not having the opportunity to move on despite their continuous effort. I also faced prejudice and discrimination in this agency. The union proved to be useless as it was unable to resolve any of my matters. The branch I worked in had a manager who made/would make sexual remarks to the female employees, which is why he was pushed to resign to avoid legal action against him. Gladly, the women to whom he made sexual remarks still took him to the court. Many people complained to union for the management not having them promote to next GS level or step for no reasons. The major issues with the agency has been boring work, incompetent management, and gossiping females (majority work force-all elderly women). I also worked under a racist supervisor. She showed extreme prejudice. You will meet many people in this agency who will tell you that they have been “playing this game” for the longest time to be where they are at. This agency also plays another tactful game. They name it as “detail,” which means they will give you a false sense of promotion for few months and bring you right back to the position. My humble suggestion to all of you who want to apply in this agency is to seek employment elsewhere where you are around great people who can nurture you as a professional and those who see your skill set as their strength. Do not waste time here as my time has been wasted dealing with incompetent and prejudiced management that’s extremely horrible. Make a wise move. This agency also lacks proper equipment, means old telephones, old computers, old software, broken equipment. i do not recall a single month where phones worked properly, printers worked properly or had a smooth day. I won't ever waste my time with federal government again.

1.0
May 6, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get a paycheck and benefits... There is something to put on your resume so there will not be a gap to explain away.

Cons

As a Decision Writer/Attorney Advisor, you are treated like a cog in Big Brother's machine of disability adjudication. It is a sweatshop type environment where all that matters in productivity and your numbers. As much as they give lip service to quality, they absolutely do not care. Nor do they care about their employees. It is a boring, mindless task where you do not even put your legal skills and schooling to use. Everyone is looking for an opportunity to jump ship as soon as they can find a new job in this depressed economy.

Viewing 31 - 33 of 2,782 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,926 Social Security Administration reviews submitted anonymously by Social Security Administration employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Social Security Administration is right for you.